Golden Leaf Award 2012

The Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden, an organic, sustainable food garden, opened to the public in 2012. It displays, demonstrates and teaches about plants that provide people, animals, birds and insects with food and shelter. In this garden, visitors can learn about organic vegetable and fruit gardening, understand water management through rain gardens, learn about tobacco farming in the Burpee Learning Center and participate in hands-on classes.

Brody was a master gardener and columnist from Kinston who spent the last 40 years of her life educating people in her community about the importance of organic foods and gardening for a healthier lifestyle. Her dream was to establish a safe place where all children could learn and experience the joys of gardening.

Architect Ellen Cassilly and landscape architect Jesse Turner worked with Duke Gardens horticulture director Robert Mottern, Doris Duke Center Gardens curator Jason Holmes, Jan Little, director of education and public programs, and other Gardens staff members to create the new garden. It's located in a former field adjacent to Lewis Street.

This Golden Leaf Award was in the category of Landscape and Maintenance. Among other 2012 Golden Leaf Award winners are Hope Valley Square, NEEM Burt's Bees Community Gardens and The Leaf at Durham Central Park.